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Monday, October 24, 2011

get Spirited... Halloween's just around the corner!: Halloween is just around the corner and admittedly we have nary a pumpkin in sight. I like to keep in the spirit and fun of the holiday but with as little fuss as possible. I'm simplistic and a minimalist when it comes to adding seasonal touches to my home. Christmas is the only exception to my rule. I like the way simple looks and since I like to create things myself but have limited amounts of time I'm always on the search for little ideas that pack a big wow factor. The following ideas and images inspired me for their fun, whimsy and simplicity. I so do enjoy Halloween , Check out ( The Entertaining House ) what a delightful blog .

I love the idea of placing the pumpkins, stacked on top of one another in my fireplace. I think a very similar effect can be created with pumpkins and candles without even having to carve the flames - though it is a fun effect. I also think an arrangement of white pumpkins and white candles would be a sophisticated, elegant and easy alternative.

image via Country Living

I love the simple Jack o'Lantern placed inside the glass jar... add some baked goods on elegant dishes and your table is festive, fun and without a lot of time and effort.

image via Country Living

Again, the arrangement on the buffet is simple, effortless and effective.

These stairs are a perfect example of simple meets whimsy. The mice are simply decals attached to the stairs. Nothing is more simple than the word Halloween hand written on some elegant white pumpkins. If you have a small budget, you could cluster three pumpkins together at the bottom of the stairs and simply write "boo" on them. This would be just as effective.

image via Pinterest

These Jack o'Lantern clementines may just be my favorite find! I love the simplicity of this idea and I love the idea of making a healthy treat festive. I'm bringing snacks in for Halloween parties at school. I was trying really hard to stay away from the junk and I think this is something that my kids of all ages would love!

image via Midwestliving.com

Of course Halloween parties need some sweetness to them. So you're not a baker, or a cake decorator, or perhaps you are but you don't have or really want to spend the time on something labor intensive. These cupcakes are cute, fun, simple and festive!

image via Martha Stewart

We all have leftover plastic Easter eggs at home. What a fun way to recycle them into something creative. (Directions on the Martha Stewart website) These make cute class gifts or party favors.

image via Martha Stewart

This has to be one of my all-time favorite ideas. The Jack o'Lantern balloons can't be more simple to make ... a black Sharpie, some orange balloons et voila!

image via Martha Stewart

I think these are perhaps my best find this year! How clever of Martha. Again, this is so simple. A few small pumpkins, some inexpensive, plastic, vampire teeth and some red pushpins will make your Halloween a hilarious one!

This is a project you can get the kids involved with. Create scary faces using potatoes or apples and let the kids stamp them onto brown or Halloween colored bags stuffed with fun bite-sized treats!

image via Swanky-chic-fete.blogspot

I loved these brightly colored white chocolate covered pretzels!

Another all-time favorite! To make enough of these for a crowd, and a simpler version of Martha's, draw faces on some disposable plastics cups with a Sharpie. The effect is very much the same and the effort level is much less!

via Taste of Home

These spooky strawberries couldn't be any more adorable! Or easier! Simply dip your strawberry in white chocolate and then using a pastry bag fitted with a small tip use melted chocolate or chocolate frosting to draw on the faces.

image via Tumblr

A most egg-cellent idea! My boys love devilled eggs and they love olives as well. What a great after school snack idea!

Ok, maybe this idea is not so simple... but they are beautiful!

image via Martha Stewart

Another fun, simple and creative idea that required little time and effort for a maximum result. Place a glow stick inside a white, green or orange balloon and, using a Sharpie, draw on your spooky faces!

If you're not already in the Spirit of things, I hope this helped! A fabulous Sunday is expected here in Southern Connecticut. A perfect day to visit the apple orchard and the pumpkin patch!